The Divided House of David: The Multiple Voices of the Jewish People

There is a raw new reality involving where we as Jews find ourselves in this moment. Wherever we sit on the political stage, we collectively realize the intensity and the uncertainty that these past several weeks have produced, but also the possibilities that may lie ahead!

Even as we recite the Prayer for the State of Israel, how these words and messages are defined and unpacked today carries with it the multiple meanings that sit with us in our collective spaces and with those who have elected to operate outside.

With the extraordinary events unfolding before us, the Jewish world has been exposed to its own political tsunami and the open-ended discussions yet to be had on the future of the Jewish commonwealth.

With Israel’s response to the Iran nuclear threat, we are reminded of the deep disconnects that define how our community encounters Israel, Zionism, and American politics.

We come with an array of differing perspectives, as various constituencies hold profoundly different visions concerning the US-Israel connection and how as American Jews we ought to align with Israel and Zionism. Fundamentally, all of these conversations focus on the central question of what kind of a Jewish State will emerge.

In this moment we find ourselves in multiple ideological and political camps:

Trump Jews:  A significant core of American Jews are linked to Israel and its security through their support for a strong US-Israel connection. Many within this camp have embraced Donald Trump’s actions and policies as the essential framework for ensuring a strong, viable and essential partnership between Washington and Jerusalem.

Bibi Critics: This category of American activists embrace the right of a Jewish State to exist freely and safely. Their current concerns and criticisms tend to be directed against the specific policies and actions of Israel’s government, and more directly the politics of the Prime Minister. Many in this camp are critical of the government’s ongoing actions in Gaza, its practices in connection with the West Bank and the expansion of Jewish settlements.

No Confidence Gen Z’s: While mostly younger Jews, this cadre has struggled more recently with their connections to the Jewish state and are challenged to find their space within the contemporary definitions of Zionist thought and Israeli policy.

The Anti-Zionists:  This camp represents folks who have over time or more recently separated themselves from Israel and Zionism. They have called for the end of the Jewish State, seeing it as operating outside of both their Jewish values and their political principles.

Within the framework of these past several weeks, a new set of divisions has emerged involving those who have praised both Israel and US actions directed toward Iran and a second group, who opted instead for a diplomatic process in lieu of military engagement. This latter constituency raised its criticisms both of Israel and in connection with the President’s military actions as being out of compliance with the 1973 War Powers Act, requiring the White House to seek Congressional approval prior to its June 22^nd military actions.

In the aftermath of these most recent dramatic events, it appears that even in this moment of potential optimism there will be emerging a whole new set of expectations and pressure points on the Israelis. One can anticipate significant attention being directed toward Israel’s political establishment from various forces, including sources internal to Israel itself but also being generated by governments, international entities, and advocacy organizations. There will be a growing expectation that Jerusalem must take up these pressing and ongoing concerns:

• Resolve Gaza, Secure the Hostages
• Deal with the Broader and Complex Issues Involving the Palestinians

This moment affords Israel an opportunity to reframe its overarching political identity.  As Israel’s external threats appear to be lessening, if not fundamentally removed, for the first time in its 77-year history, these defining elements will draw ever greater attention. This leaves open what will likely be a highly contentious but essential conversation around Zionism and Jewish statism that will not only engage the citizens of the Jewish State but involve the voices of Diaspora Jewry as well. This maybe the first time since its inception that the State of Israel will have the possibility to address these definitional questions over identity and destiny.